Brief synopsis: Set in rural Georgia during and after WWII, this novel follows Lonnie (son of a war veteran), Bertrand (a war veteran and friend to Lonnie's father), and Jacks (farm owner and neighbor to Lonnie). When Lonnie accidentally sees a group of Black individuals (Bertrand included) get murdered, his entire world is turned upside down. This novel recounts the story leading up to the murders and the consequences twenty years later.


I was pretty excited to read this novel, because the author is an instructor a couple towns over at a neighboring university. Not to mention one of the main themes in The Vain Conversation focused on racism in the Deep South. I would definitely say this is a lovely work of literature. Honestly, reading this novel may have felt a bit like required reading for high school. This sounds like a bad thing, but I absolutely don't mean it that way - I mean it in the way that it feels like important literature instead of just a story. It makes it a bit thicker to read, but doesn't make the story any less appealing.


I found myself in tears throughout the entire novel, because it was really heartbreaking and relevant - both during the 40s (when it's set) and now. While this novel is based on a true story, it is not necessarily factual. That doesn't make it any less horrifying and miserable to read. The Vain Conversation was truly uncomfortable to read - because it's supposed to be.


There was one chapter, near the end, that didn't really make sense to me. I didn't understand the relevance or purpose of the chapter, which just kind of confused and bothered me. But other than that, the story was beautiful and important. It's a story of consequences and choices; of hate and love. But it's a story that should be read.





The Vain Conversation will be out on March 1.